Home | > | List of families | > | Polygonaceae | > | Rumex | > | sagittatus |
Synonyms: |
Rumex abyssinicus sensu Eyles non Jacq. Rumex burchellii Campd. Rumex pseudoscutatus Dinter |
Common names: | Scrambling dock (English) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Perennial, scrambling or climbing, dioecious herb. Stems annual, up to 2 m long, hollow, flexuous. Leaves petiolate; lamina 4-10 × 3-5 cm, triangular; base hastate-sagittate; apex acute. Inflorescence a leafless terminal panicle. Flowers unisexual borne in few-flowered whorls. Inner perianth segments pale brown to pink or coral-red, wing-like in fruit; base deeply cordate. Nut pale brown, shiny. |
Notes: | The stems and fruit may turn coral-red and make a colourful display. |
Derivation of specific name: | sagittatus: arrow-shaped, sagittate. |
Habitat: | Along the margins of forest and woodland, and in bracken scrub, where it climbs and scrambles over other vegetation. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 900 - 2100 m |
Flowering time: | (Jan-)Feb - Apr (-Jul) |
Worldwide distribution: | Zambia and Malawi southwards to South Africa. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Wednesday 6 September 2006 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 48. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 31. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 68. Nogueira, I., Ortiz, S. & Paiva, J.A.R. (2006). Polygonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 42 - 44. (Includes a picture). Rechinger, K.H. (1954). Monograph of the Genus Rumex in Africa Botaniska Notiser Supplement 3(3) Pages 45 - 47. |
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